Sol Plaatje University (SPU) hosted the EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 Central Regional Round on 27 and 28 August, bringing student entrepreneurs, adjudicators and stakeholders from across the five universities in the region to its Central Campus for two days of pitching, product showcases and innovation.
Students competed across five categories, Existing Business: Social Impact, Existing Business: General, Innovative Industries, Existing Business: Tech, and Academic Research Commercialisation, with students pitching their businesses and prototypes before an adjudication panel.
The programme opened with addresses by Prof Jose Frantz (SPU Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies) and Prof Pierre Joubert (Dean of Economic and Management Sciences), alongside key stakeholders including Ms Salvation Andrease of the Department of Higher Education and Training and Dr Edwell Gumbo, EDHE Director. Day Two was opened by Mr Chad Lucas, Economic Activation Officer within CEDAR.
SPU fielded three student representatives in the competition, with two competing in the Innovative Industries category, reflecting a strong showing of the entrepreneurial talent developing on campus.
SPU congratulates student entrepreneurs Mr Lebogang Setlhare, Mr Ipfilawe Tshitangano and Mr Sanele Kholiso on representing the University at the Central Regional Round, and thanks EDHE, Absa, SABF and all participating institutions for a successful event.
